mrjonthehat's collection of handmade instruments, with descriptions, video clips and guides to building Cigar Box Guitars, Canjos, Dulcimers, Cajons, Whamolas and other fun items. To buy an instrument - Leave a message here, or on facebook, or e-mail mrjonthehat@yahoo.com - Please browse the older posts in the archive. Cheers.

Tuesday, 5 March 2013

Cigar Box Guitar Construction - Preparation

What You Need :

A Wooden Box (Ask in a tobacconists / cigar shop. They usually have empty ones. I make a donation to charity, and take as many as I can carry ! - Junk shops / Charity shops / friends...)A Piece of Wood (Aprox. 3' X 2" X 1") - I've used legs from easels, furniture, floor timber, walking sticks, hockey sticks... It's handy if you can get them sawn and planed to size (Cheers Simon at WASPS). Hardwood like oak, cherry, wenge is best, as it won't bend.Some guitar strings. (Top 4 or bottom 4 work...Try other combinations too.)Some guitar tuning pegsWood / metal / bone / plastic... for a 'nut' and a 'bridge'ScrewsOptionalPiezo transducer pick-up (£1.09 each from MAPLINS or similar store)Mono Guitar socketFerrules (to hold the tuners)FretwireWood for fretboardStrap ButtonMarker DotsEyeletsSoundhole grommets

Tools

HacksawWorkbenchClamps (with cardboard to protect wood)FilesSandpaper / Rotary SanderPower Drill (With Assorted Bits)SnipsRulerFretboard template*PencilMalletWood GlueMitre BoxSoldering Iron & SolderWooden Block (Useful for drilling to prevent wood splinters and for holding components when soldering.)* If you are adding frets, a template is very helpful for getting the position right. These can be found at the Handmade Music Clubhouse site : Handmade Music Clubhouse or you can make a template from any guitar or banjo.There is a useful link in my step-by;step building guide.